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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Cathedral of St. Paul

Studio Name: Heaton, Butler & Bayne

City: Detroit

Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, more than 2 vertical sections)

Subject/Title of Window: Passion Window

Brief Description of Subject: The "Passion" window represents seventeen scenes in Our Lord's life, most of them taking place between the first Palm Sunday and the Ascenion Day. It is in the five lancets, and there are four scenes in each lancet, making twenty presentations in all, revealing some of the best stained glass work attainable in modern times, with the atmosphere of the 14th century felt in the small medallions and panels illumined with deep blues, purples, and suggestions of crimson in its powerful coloring. In the design and composition of the work, the artist has shown a reverent conception of the text, and the attitude and expression of the figures of Our Lord are marked by deep spiritual thought and feeling. The coloring is true to nature, and when the sun falls upon it, as in the early morning hours, every detail of its beauty is revealed in a resplendent glorification of the Passion.

With two notable exceptions the scenes are in chronological order starting on the far left of the lower tier with "Palm Sunday" and ending at the far right of the fourth tier with "Risen Christ Appears to Mary Magdalene". The first exception is the "Crucifixion" which appears directly over the altar. In a Church that includes the "Liturgy of the Eucharist" in its service it must have an altar for the sacrifice of Christ. Traditionally directly above the altar will be a Crucifix. The second exception is the middle three scenes on the fourth tier which depict the transcendental nature of Christ --- Transfiguration, Ascension and Resurrection.

Lower Tier:
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King --- Matt. 21:1-11
Last Supper (across three scenes) --- Matt. 26:17-30
Christ Washing Peter's Feet --- John 13:1-17

Second Tier:
Gethsemane --- Luke 22:39-46
Jesus Arrested --- Luke 22:47-52
Crucifixion (2 vertical scenes) --- John 19:17-27
Christ Before Herod --- Luke 23: 6-12
Jesus Scourged --- John 19:1-2

Third Tier:
Crown of Thorns ---John 19:2
Pilates Decision to Crucify Christ --- John 19:1-16
Crucifixion (2 vertical scenes) --- John 19:17-27
Veronica Wipes Face of Jesus --- Christian tradition
Jesus Taken Down From Cross --- John 19: 38

Fourth Tier:
Women at the Tomb --- Matt. 28:1-10
Transfiguration --- Matt. 17:1-11
Ascension --- Luke 24:50-51
Resurrection --- Scene not in Bible
Risen Christ Appears to Mary Magdalene --- John 20:11-18

The borders of the lancets are made up of a decorative floral pattern. Scenes are separated with a decorative floral pattern that contain a quatrefoil which will feature either a floral pattern or an instrument of the Passion.

Inscriptions: To the Glory of God in Loving Memory of Theodore H. Eaton
B 16 Jan 1842
D 6 Nov 1910


Height: 25'

Width: 20'

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Lead Came, Vitreous Paint

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